SHILLONG: A delegation of the Opposition alliance – Meghalaya People’s Front (MPF) – met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi to raise the issue of the deteriorating law and order situation in the State and a host of other issues affecting Meghalaya.
The two-member delegation comprising UDP MLA Paul Lyngdoh and Independent MLA Saleng M Sangma also submitted a memorandum to Singh highlighting various issues affecting the State.
“We have apprised him about the lawlessness in the State especially in Garo Hills,” Lyngdoh informed over telephone from New Delhi after their meeting with the Union Home Minister.
The UDP legislator said they have specifically raised the issue of increased militant activities and mushrooming of militant outfits in the Garo Hills sector.
According to him, mention was also made about attacks against the Deputy Commissioner of South Garo Hills, Additional Superintendent of Police and senior government officials by the militants adding that they also brought up the issue of death of many police personnel in the militant attacks.
“We have urged upon the Centre to immediately intervene before the situation gets out of control,” he said.
The UDP legislator further informed that they also raised the issue of the decision of the Congress-led Government in the State to continue to extend the tenure of the GHADC.
Lyngdoh said they also spoke about agitations by pressure groups and the failure of the State government to take stock of the situation which has led to a sense of confusion and panic among the people.
“We have also raised the issue of the NGT ban on coal mining and its consequences on the economy and negative impact on the livelihood of the people who are directly or indirectly dependent on coal mining activities,” Lyngdoh said.
The memorandum mentions the recent No-Confidence Motion against Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Speaker A.T. Mondal, Lyngdoh said, adding, “We have briefed him on how the Congress has arm-twisted the whole situation just to ensure the survival of the current government.”
